The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-08-10
new FISHERY. TROUBLES.
An American Vessel Seized by
the Canadian Authorities.
Fined $500 for Alleged Viola
ton of the Customs Laws.

Trouble between American fishing vessels
and the Canadian authorities has broken ont
afresh The Gloucester tMass.) fishing
schooner Annie W. Hodgdon has been seized
off Shclburne, Nova Scotia, by the Canadian
cruiser Advance, charged with violating
the customs laws in not entering at
tho Custom House, and been fined
$400. The Gloucester fishing schooners Col. j.
H. French and the Argonaut had two small
boats and seines seized within the three-mile
limit, the fourteen men in the boats being
taken prisoners. The men we're released
shortly after their capture. A Halifax (N.S.l
dispatch gives the following details:
The case of the Gloucester fishing schooner
burne, is similar to most of last years
seizures for customs violations, and
has no connection with the fisheries treaty.
The vessel, which had at first been
only detained, awaiting orders from Ottawa,
was finally formally seized on the charge Of
violating the Canadian customs laws,
and fine Of s400 was imposed.
All the vessels seized last season on
a similar charge were fined either
5000 or $500 each, TIE fine being deposited in
every case under protest, and afterward
nearly the whole amount was refunded to the
various owners, only a nominal sum of $500
or thereabouts being retained.
The Governments action respecting the
Hodgdon is therefore somewhat odd, the Of
fense being no more serious than any of those
committed before. Captain knowlton, OF the
cruiser Advance, who made the capture, was
informed some days ago that the Hocgdon
was on the western coast, and it was suspected
she was in search of bait, but, SO far, there is
no proof of violation of the treaty.
When she was seized there were some fresh
Goldfish in q tub on the deck, which Capt. Nor
rison said had been brought on board by the
missing men, who were just found. There is
no evidence in contradiction of this, and it is
probable that the fish were really caught OIL
Browns Bank, being taken from the travis
before the men strayed away i'll the fog.
After instructions were received from
Ottawa to impose 800 fine, Customs Collector
Atwood requested Captain Morrison to bring
the schooner to the wharf, which was done,
and she lay in dock in charge OF the Collectors
men.
There are no new developments in the Souris
case. but there is no doubt that should the
Col. j. H. French or the Argonaut. to which
the boats belonged, be found within the
three-nie limit they will be Immediately
seized for violation of treaty. There is no
question as to what vessels the seine boats be-
longed, as, besides the admissions OF the men,
the names of the schooners are painted on
them. >,
Consul General Phelan, of the United
States, regards the Hodgdon affair as rather
an extraordinary one He considers that the
crew and the vessels owners have been
harshly treated. The schooner, he says, was
on a mission of humanity in searching for
lost fishermen. She did not enter Shelburne
harbor proper, and the Captain of the cruiser
might very gracefully, and without stepping
beyond his powers, have himself entered and
cleared the vessel, and permitted her to con-
tinue on her way unmolested.
With regard to the Souris seizures the Con
sui General has not sufficient information to
express confident opinion, but he believes
that from the situation in which the boats
appear to have been when arrested that there
must he a doubt as to whether they were
actually trespassing.
Great interest in fishery affairs is exhibited
by the officers of the American war ship
Richmoud, but until fuller particulars of the
seizure are received they do not feel war
rantad in snaaLing ahont these rasas